Top 10 Headlines on Expana in 2025—and What Could Shape the Next Year in Food and Ag

2025 was a big year for news in the food and agriculture industry. Headlines ranging from livestock diseases and sweeping policy changes to rising geopolitical tensions, shifting tariffs, weather events, and evolving consumer trends influenced commercial strategies, supply chains, and global market dynamics... 

FDA Broadens Approval for Hydrogen Peroxide in Food Processing

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized an amendment to its food additive regulations to permit hydrogen peroxide for broader food-processing uses, responding to a petition from Cargill Inc.

Effective September 3, 2025, the rule allows hydrogen peroxide as an antimicrobial, oxidizing and reducing agent, and bleaching agent while removing sulfur dioxide from the regulation.

The agency also updated the official quality standard by incorporating the Food Chemicals Codex 14th edition monograph for hydrogen peroxide. The action acknowledges prior GRAS determinations for specific uses but expands

BayWa Confirms Most Severe Crisis in Company’s History   

BayWa has confirmed that the 2024 financial year was marked by the most severe crisis in the company’s history. 

“In the summer of 2024, BayWa AG found itself in a debt and liquidity crisis that threatened its very existence, whereupon comprehensive reorganization measures were initiated and a reorganization opinion on the future viability and continued existence of the BayWa Group was commissioned,” the company said in its annual report. 

As part of its ongoing restructuring strategy, BayWa has sold a 47.53% stake in...

Sugar On the Chopping Block for SNAP Program Following MAHA Commission

On May 22, US President Donald Trump spoke alongside Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and others during a MAHA [Make America Healthy Again] Commission Event. 

“We’re on track to sign multiples of SNAP waivers to get junk food and sugary drinks out of our food stamp system,” said the USDA’s Rollins. Rollins signed the first waivers to amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in Nebraska, Indiana, and Iowa, she said during her speech...

Shengnong Development to Acquire Full Ownership of Poultry Firm Sun Valley Food 

Shengnong Development, a Chinese poultry producer, has announced plans to acquire an additional 54% equity stake in Anhui Sun Valley Food Technology (Group) Co., Ltd. for CNY 1.1 billion (approximately USD 149.9 million). 

Following the completion of the transaction, Shengnong Development will hold 100% ownership of Sun Valley. 

Sun Valley and its three subsidiaries, Sun Valley Food (Anhui) Co., Ltd., Sun Valley Food (Chuzhou) Co., Ltd.,and Sun Valley Food (Mingguang) Co., Ltd., operate a fully integrated poultry supply chain.

Betagro Ventures Invests in Cultivated Meat Producer Meatable

Meatable, a cultivated meat technology company, has received investment from Betagro Ventures, the venture capital arm of Betagro Group. This marks the first investment in Meatable by an Asian meat company.

According to Meatable, the collaboration is intended to support its growth and market entry into Asia, with potential for co-development projects.

US Valentine's Day Index 2025

As Valentine’s Day traditionally provides a boost for restaurants and confectionary retailers, Expana has analyzed the key commodities associated with this holiday.

Expana’s US Valentine's Day Chocolate Index consists of cocoa beans, sugar, and skimmed milk powder (SMP). In addition, consumption of strawberries increases during the Valentine’s Day period, and vanilla is widely used in preparation of cakes and chocolates. As a result, Expana has included the prices of these commodities separately in this report.

Although US consumers and retailers will welcome more affordable meal prices than in 2024, the cost of confectionery this Valentine’s...

Trudeau: Trump Will Pause Tariffs on Canada for 30 Days

As of Monday evening, US President Trump will postpone 25% tariffs on Canada, Reuters reported after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote an X post about the matter.

After the day's second conversation with Trump, Trudeau wrote:

"I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting..."